Arsene Wenger has hinted
Jens Lehmann could keep his place in the Arsenal goal for the remainder of the season, leaving
Manuel Almunia out in the cold.

Jens Lehmann was an assured presence at the back for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger admitted (Getty)

The veteran German made an assured return to action in the Gunners’ 3-1 win at Blackpool, after Almunia injured his knee in the warm up.

And Wenger admitted the 41-year-old’s experience could be a key factor for the remaining seven games of the title race.

‘Jens is a competitor,’ said the Arsenal boss.

‘He brings determination, which you need in the final sprint.’

Lehmann was only coaxed out of retirement in March to provide emergency cover after injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski left Almunia as the Gunners’ only recognised senior goalkeeper.

But now Wenger must decide whether to keep faith in the eccentric shot-stopper, or recall the error-prone Almunia.

Lehmann admitted he was ‘very surprised’ to be making his 200th Gunners appearance – three years after making his 199th.

‘I couldn’t really think about it, I couldn’t afford to be nervous,’ he reflected.

‘I loved playing football and when you finish it’s a little bit boring because you don’t have this adrenaline any more but that’s what came back to me. I’m quite happy about it.

‘Sometimes life is about surprises. I don’t know [what happens next].’

Lehmann hinted that he hopes to play again, and suggested a challenge to league leaders United is a realistic possibility because of their continued involvement in three competitions, including the FA Cup and the Champions League.

‘If that’s my last game ever, I’m happy because we won. But let’s see,’ Lehmann continued.

‘[The gap to United] is only four points if we win our game in hand. Look at me, you never know what’s going to happen in life.

‘United have to play a lot of games in a lot of different competitions and I know from experience what that’s like. It’s exhausting.’